Restaurant Marketing: Our Members' Best PracticesIn a recently conducted survey, our members shared ongoing restaurant marketing practices that were the most effective. While some of the practices listed were expected, we did uncover many new and creative marketing activities as well. . . . more >>

DOWNLOAD: Competitor Review With the economic slowdown, the always dynamic restaurant industry has become even more so. Like you, your competition is making changes. Here's a tool to find out what the other restaurants in your immediate market area are doing so you can develop strategies to compete with them more effectively. . . . more >>

How to Make a Customer Newsletter Your Most Effective Marketing ToolWith Jim Laube, Jenny Cook and Gina SchubertNewsletters can keep your restaurant top-of-mind for your customers like no other form of advertising can, including Web sites and other types of mailers. Advocates say they build relationships with guests second only to face-to-face interaction. Two experienced restaurateurs share tips and techniques on how to implement a successful restaurant newsletter. . . . more >>

Restaurant Marketingby Aaron Allen80% - 90% of restaurant marketing budgets are spent trying to get a new customer to visit for the first time. This is the least effective place to spend your money. Find out what marketing techniques are working in the most successful restaurants in the country. . . . more >>

The Power of Loyalty Programs: Tranforming Guests to Regularsby Patricia Luebke Smart operators know it always costs less to keep a customer than it does to find a new one. Look at your customers in terms of their long-term sales potential if they keep coming back again and again, not just what they may spend on one visit to your restaurant. Learn ways to turn casual guests into loyal, repeat customers. . . . more >>

Gift Certificate Marketing SurveyIf you're not selling gift cards or certificates you're probably missing out on an easy low cost way to improve your sales & profit. In the gift certificate survey our members reveal valuable, proven strategies they use to maximize their gift certificate sales and increase their cash flow. . . . more >>

10 Mistakes to Avoid on Your Restaurant's Web Siteby Patricia LuebkeYour restaurant's Web site is increasingly important to your marketing efforts. Your site is your salesperson who works every shift and never takes a day off. Take a look at these common mistakes and proven ways to adjust your site to avoid lost sales and damaging your image. . . . more >>

DOWNLOAD: Restaurant Gift Certificate Tracking FormManaging outstanding gift certificates for your restaurant can be a daunting task if you don't have a system in place. This spreadsheet form helps you track the certificates you sell, including amounts issued, redeemed, and remaining balances . . . more >>

How to Increase Your Restaurant's Takeout Businessby Pat MorrisTakeout is big business, and the players aren't just your typical Chinese food, pizza or fast food restaurants anymore. Today's takeout market transcends all style of restaurants. Learn how to take advantage of this ever growing market that can dramatically impact your sales and profitability. . . . more >>

DOWNLOAD: Competitor Pricing SurveyIf you want to know what price restaurant or bar customers will pay for your menu items, begin by finding out what your competition is charging. Use this form to collect and record prices your competors charge for simlilar food or bar menu items . . . more >>

Restaurant Marketing Ideas That Work!We recently conducted a survey in which we asked our members to tell us about their greatest marketing accomplishments. We were amazed at some of the creative ideas they came up with to increase their sales and promote their restaurant. Here are some of their responses . . . more >>

DOWNLOAD: Catering/Banquet Sales & Marketing ScorecardFor a sales person to be successful they need tools and resources to help them promote your business. The Catering/Banquet Sales & Marketing Scorecard provides your sales staff with a simple tool to track the progress and success in turning contacts into sales. . . . more >>

DOWNLOAD: Catering/Banquet Telemarketing ScriptSuccessful caterers know how important it is to get to the "decision-maker" when it comes to making sales calls. Having a telemarketing call script helps in getting past the receptionist and to the people responsible for booking catered events. . . . more >>